5th Grade Weekly Update for Week of October 7th

ELA: Our Tuck Everlasting novel test is on Monday, October 7th. Last Friday, we played a Jeopardy review game and students completed a study guide to help prepare for the test. This weekend, students should review the unit vocabulary words we learned throughout the unit. They should also practice the short response question that will be included on the test. The last page of their study guide includes a break down of how the short response question will be graded. Please ask them to show you! On Monday, they will need to turn the study guides back in to me.

On Friday, we will celebrate the completion of our first novel with our “All Tuckered Out” viewing party! Students are allowed to dress in pajamas as we enjoy popcorn and watch the movie version of Tuck Everlasting! Please remember that booktalk videos are also due on Friday! Students should save the video on a flashdrive and turn in a typed script as well. We will watch the videos the following Monday!

Math: Last week, students practiced division patterns and our divisibility rules. On Thursday, students will take the divisibility quiz. They will be expected to write the divisibility rule for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. They will also be expected to apply these rules when given a number. In the math section of their binders, students should have a handout that lists the rules for each of the numbers. This week, we will also learn how to estimate quotients using compatible numbers and practice with two digit divisors, which tends to be the trickier problems for students. In Friday Folders, chapter 2 math tests were sent home. Please sign and return on Monday.

Science: I can’t wait to see our cell models next Monday, October 14th! If your child plans to create an edible model, I will send home a planning sheet that they will need to submit to me. This will help me as I plan and accommodate for those with food allergies. This week in the lab, we will finish our conclusion of Investigation Five and begin preparing for our performance assessment!

History: We will continue our study of Westward Expansion Before the Civil War. We’ll create a life sized timeline explaining the Battle of the Alamo and Texas’ steps towards becoming a state. We’ll also look at how the United States gained Oregon, the Mountain Men and their contributions, and the significance of the Oregon Trail and the hardships endured by its travelers. Our last lesson this week will help us understand why the United States went to war against Mexico, and we will identify the states that were created from the land acquired from Mexico.

Other: Get a jump start on your holiday shopping this year at the Bedford Falls annual Wood Acres Book Fair. Did you know that reading for just 20 minutes a day exposes your child to 1.8 million words per year? Board books, early readers, nonfiction, young adult novels – there is something for every grade level. The book fair will be open Monday, October 7th – Thursday, October 10th. Book fair hours will be 12:00 – 4:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. On Thursday, October 10th book fair will stay open later and the hours will be 12:00 – 6:30 pm.

Parents of students of all grade and program levels, you are welcome to join us to learn more about Middle School at Wood Acres! Join us on Wednesday, October 9th at 6:30 pm in the Beaker, Jr. Come see examples of the advanced curriculum, elective choices, leadership opportunities, off campus field trips and more! We look forward to sharing with you why Wood Acres Middle School students are very successful when they graduate Wood Acres and why they are recruited by local area high school magnet and private school programs. Email admin@woodacresschool.org to register for the session.

Week at a Glance:
Monday- Book Fair Opens; Tuck Everlasting Novel Test; Return Signed Ch 2 Math Test and Weekly Reflection Sheet
Wednesday- WA Upper School Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday- Divisibility Quiz; Last Day of Book Fair
Friday- Booktalk Videos Due; “All Tuckered Out” Celebration